virtue ethics

An Introduction to Philosophy (RLL style) Week 12 – Ethics 2 (Objectivism) – Part 5: Which Star Shines Brightest?

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Ethics isn’t a one-size-fits-all road map. From ethical egoism to utilitarianism, from Kant’s duties to virtue ethics, every ethical theory offers a unique way to navigate the complex question of what’s right. These theories aren’t just competing ideas—they’re different pathways up the same mountain, offering pieces to the puzzle of ethical objectivity. Whether it’s the golden rule, duty, or the pursuit of the greatest good, every ethical theory challenges us to ask what truly guides our moral compass.

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An Introduction to Philosophy (RLL style) Week 11 – Ethics 1 (Relativism) – Part 1: Introduction – Why be good?

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Why be good? Before diving into rules and commandments, we need to ask: Why bother? Morality isn’t just about rules—it’s about how to live well. Socrates asked not, “What rules should we follow?” but “What kind of life is worth living?” Ethics, for the ancients, wasn’t about being perfect—it was about flourishing, about becoming the kind of person who functions well in the world. Living ethically isn’t about cosmic points—it’s about the kind of person you become when you repeatedly choose kindness, integrity, fairness, and care. The real reason to care about ethics isn’t abstract; it’s because we matter. The way we treat others shapes the world we wake up in, and the way we live shapes who we become.

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